The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began readiness plans to operate the Birds Point-New Madrid (BP-NM) Floodway Monday. That means the Corps of Engineers is preparing to artificially open the floodway. The Corps will make a decision as to whether or not to do that on Tuesday at 1 p.m.More >>

Gov. Jay Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard Monday to help with response efforts in parts of the state impacted by flooding and threats to levees after receiving significant rain, particularly in southern and southeast Missouri.More >>

Williamson County Sheriff Bennie Vick and Highway Engineer Greg Smothers are warning residents south of Marion that several "Road Closed" signs have been stolen from intersections with flooded roads.More >>

BUTLER COUNTY, MO (KFVS) -

The following time stamped reports come from the National Weather Service.

TUESDAY

12:10 a.m. - Widespread wind damage from Hazel to Murray. Hundreds of trees uprooted, trees down on houses and power poles and lines down blocking roads. An eight foot section of a wall was blown out at Pella Windows Plant north of Murray. Two barns were blown down. A community EOC is being set up at the Murray State Police Department. No injuries reported so far.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn issued a disaster proclamation Monday to ensure state resources are readily available to support local governments affected by a series of severe storms that have affected southern Illinois during the past two weeks. Forecasts for additional heavy rains this week could send swollen waterways even higher and cause widespread flooding throughout the region.

"I have directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to coordinate state personnel and assets needed to help affected communities protect their residents and critical infrastructure from the rising floodwaters," said Governor Quinn. "We are committed to helping these areas deal with a very difficult and potentially dangerous situation."

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) will be activated at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will remain operational until the flood threat subsides. Liaisons from several state agencies will work with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate the deployment of state personnel and assets to assist local governments in the affected areas.

More information about the state's flood response and flood safety is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

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Sandbagging operations will begin in Gallatin County on Tuesday at Old Shawneetown, Equality and New Haven.

Currently, a shelter has been opened in Shawneetown at the Baptist Church. There were five people in the shelter on Monday afternoon, Steve Galt said, coordinator with the Gallatin County Emergency Management Agency.

Numerous roads are closed due to flooding and more will be closed as water begins to rise, said Galt.

According to the Gallatin County EMA, at 6 p.m. on Monday the river stage at Old Shawneetown was 46.85 feet, flood stage is at 33 feet. There is a predicted crest of 54.2 on Monday, May 2, 2011.

Gov. Jay Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard Monday to help with response efforts in parts of the state impacted by flooding and threats to levees after receiving significant rain, particularly in southern and southeast Missouri.

At least 200 citizen-soldiers will be going to Poplar Bluff to help support initial flood relief efforts. The troops are part of a task force which is organized under 70th Troop Command in Jefferson Barracks.

Missouri National Guard liaison officers are already in place at emergency operations centers in Butler and Mississippi counties.

Units supporting the flood response include: 70th Troop Command, Jefferson Barracks; 175th Military Police Battalion, of Columbia; the 1221st Transportation Company, of Dexter, Portageville and Sikeston; the 1138th Military Police Company, of West Plains and Springfield; 1137th Military Police Company, of Kennett, Jackson and Doniphan; the 1175th Military Police Company, of St. Clair and St. Louis; and the Joint Operations Center at Joint Force Headquarters in Jefferson City.

The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began readiness plans to operate the Birds Point-New Madrid (BP-NM) Floodway today (April 25). A decision to exercise the next steps to be prepared to use the BP-NM floodway component of the Mississippi River and Tributaries project will be made at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The Floodway is part of a flood risk management plan for the lower Mississippi River designed to minimize damage to property, structures and to help save lives from historic flood levels – also referred to as the Project Flood – on the lower Mississippi River.

The Commander of the Memphis District has the responsibility to plan and operate the BP-NM Floodway upon direction from the Mississippi River Commission (MRC) President. The 1928 Flood Control Act gives the President of the MRC the authority to operate the BP-NM Floodway when the Mississippi River reaches 58 feet on the Cairo, Ill., gage with the prediction to rise to 61 feet and rising.

No decision can be made at this time whether or not to artificially open the floodway. However, as set forth in the operation plan, preparation for that event is necessary at this time in order to carry out the activation of the floodway, should flood pressures on the comprehensive system require activation.

Earlier Monday Gov. Jay Nixon issued a statement Monday regarding plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to intentionally breach the Birds Point levee along the Mississippi River:

"Earlier today, I mobilized the Missouri National Guard to respond to significant flooding across southern and southeastern Missouri, and waters across that region continue to rise. At this critical time, I have serious concerns about plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to intentionally breach the Birds Point levee along the Mississippi River near Mississippi and New Madrid counties. Intentionally breaching this levee would affect hundreds of Missouri families and pour a tremendous amount of water into 130,000 acres of prime farmland. As Missouri families deal with this dangerous flooding, intentionally breaching this levee would be a harmful and inappropriate action."

Reynolds County

The city of Ellington is evacuating the Newtown and South Road areas due to rising waters. The old gym at the high school is open as an evacuation center.

Butler County

The Incident Command Center at the Poplar Bluff Police Department received information that the levee on the west side of Black River south of Poplar Bluff had been compromised in several different areas. The water level of Black River has exceeded the height of the levee in those areas, and water pouring over the top of the levee creates an environment which might lead to failure in each of those (compromised) areas.

This danger is compounded by the forecast of additional rain throughout the rest of the day and Monday night.

Residents in Butler County living in the area south of Poplar Bluff, north of HH Hwy, and between Hwy 142 and Black River are strongly urged to evacuate to higher ground immediately. Those residents living south of HH Hwy, between Hwy 142 and Black River are encouraged to prepare for rapid evacuation in the event of levee failure.

Earlier Monday, the City of Poplar Bluff issued a mandatory evacuation order for the southern portion of Poplar Bluff for more than 1000 people.

It is an area south of Black River, and East of WW Hwy ("Ditch Road"). Residents living in this area were advised to move to higher ground immediately. Residents living on the west side of WW Hwy were encouraged monitor water levels in their neighborhood, and to make preparations to relocate as necessary.

There's already some issues on near Quilin threatening Highway 53. Areas that first breached near County Road 607 are growing. In fact, city manager Doug Bagby says the breach on 607 has grown to 100 feet. County Road 605 was another spot with water over the levee.

There is a Red Cross Shelter for evacuees at the Black River Coliseum.

"We encourage individuals to contact friends or family for a place to stay," said Red Cross Executive Director Cheryl Klueppel. "If you do stay at the shelter, please bring any personal items and medication you may need."

The Black River Coliseum is accepting pets. They've brought in kennels to house them.

Mississippi County

Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore says an emergency evacuation in the Windyville, Dorena and Pinhook areas has been activated.

No one is allowed past the barricades. The areas of interest are Highway 102 south of Sawdust corner and Highway 77 south of 34 Corner.

Only relatives and friends assisting in the evacuations will be allowed in the areas. Patrols will be working the area and identifications will be checked. Warnings will be issued and followed with tickets and fines. No sight seers will be allowed in the area, according to Sheriff Moore.

Moore says absolutely no one, for any reason will be allowed on the levees because being on the levees compromises the strength of the levees and no traffic will be allowed until further notice.

Youngstown State University student Albert Maruna was caught red-handed and arrested this week after he allegedly attempted to have sex with a 15-year-old boy, who turned out to be an undercover officer.

Youngstown State University student Albert Maruna was caught red-handed and arrested this week after he allegedly attempted to have sex with a 15-year-old boy, who turned out to be an undercover officer.